Health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries

Figure 66 Adequate lighting
and clean, reflective walls
provide good illumination.
Protective equipment
includes bump cap,
coveralls, gloves and safety
footwear
Preventing other injuries
Health and Safety
Executive
232 Provide suitable head protection for pit workers where there is a risk of injury
from contact with the vehicle overhead or from falling objects. The ultimate strength
of the head protection is probably less important than the ability to wear it. For
example, baseball-style, short-peak bump caps provide a degree of protection, stay
in place and allow reasonable upward vision (see Figure 66). They may be more
appropriate than traditional,
construction-type helmets.
Eye protection may be
required to guard against
displaced dust, rust or
other debris and especially
materials ejected under
pressure, eg hydraulic
fluids. Ear defenders may
be necessary for noisy
processes such as engine
running.
Compressed-air equipment
233 Compressed air is used for a variety of purposes including:
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inflating tyres;
for spray guns and air-fed breathing apparatus;
supplying pneumatic handtools, grease guns etc;
supplying air to pneumatic tyre removers.
234 Accidents, some of which have been fatal, occur when the energy contained in
a pressurised container is released with explosive force or where compressed air is
injected into the body.
235 All compressed-air plant and systems must be designed, constructed and
installed to prevent danger. Ensure there is a maintenance programme for the
whole pressure system. It should take into account the system and equipment age,
its uses and the environment.
236 The pressure system should be subject to a written scheme of examination
agreed by a competent person, which covers:
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every pressure vessel;
all protective devices; and
those parts of pipelines and pipework which, if they fail, may create danger.
237 A competent person must examine the pressure system in accordance with
the written scheme and records must be kept.
238 Where pressure testing is necessary, use hydraulic pressure with suitable
precautions rather than compressed air and, if possible, when leak testing
components not intended as pressure vessels, eg vehicle fuel tanks and radiators.
239 The pressure of the compressed air supplied from the receiver should be as
low as practicable. Where there is a big difference in the pressures required (eg
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